Best of Ireland South (Tour A) 8 Days/7 Nights/12 meals
Day 1: Arrive Dublin & Independent Sightseeing
Your tour begins with a day of independent touring in Dublin. Take a Hop-On, Hop-Off bus tour and enjoy a visit to one of Dublin’s top attractions – Guinness Storehouse, Teeling Distillery, EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum, or the General Post Office Museum. This bustling city has plenty of museums, shops, and parks you may also enjoy visiting. In the evening, you are free to dine at one of the many restaurants and pubs that Dublin has to offer.
Day 2: Book of Kells & Taylors Three Rock Pub
Enjoy a free morning in Dublin for further independent sightseeing with the included vouchers. Meet your guide at 2:00 PM in the hotel lobby and set off on an orientation tour of Dublin city center. Enjoy a walking tour of Trinity College with a local guide. Proceed on to view the Book of Kells, the famous 9th-century illuminated manuscript that contains four Gospels. In the evening, enjoy a welcome drink with your group before heading to Taylors Three Rock Pub for a dinner of Irish specialties and a lively show.
(B, D)
Day 3: Blarney Castle & Killarney
Relax and enjoy the farmlands of the picturesque midlands. Get a taste of farm life at a nearby sheep farm. Enjoy scones with tea and watch trained dogs herd sheep. Visit Blarney Castle to kiss the famous “Stone of Eloquence” or explore the tranquil gardens. Treat yourself to quality Irish-made goods at Blarney Woollen Mills. Travel through Macroom and into County Kerry where the scenery becomes more mountainous. Arrive in the charming town of Killarney.
(B, D)
Day 4: Dingle Peninsula & Dingle Bay Cruise
Discover the glorious Dingle Peninsula, showcased in the movies “Ryan’s Daughter” and “Far & Away”. Travel to Slea Head for awesome Atlantic views. Embark on a short cruise around Dingle Harbor and Bay. Next, a very special CIE Tours exclusive – visit Muckross Schoolhouse for an immersive experience showing rural Ireland in the 1930s. Smell the turf, learn about school life, watch a butter-making demo and more, before enjoying dinner in the schoolhouse.
(B, D)
Day 5: Jaunting Car Ride & Limerick Panoramic Tour
Take a traditional horse-drawn jaunting car through the Killarney National Park to tour the scenic Ross Castle and Kenmare Estate. Head to the village of Adare, famous for its main street lined with thatched cottages and colorful gardens. Proceed to Limerick and take a panoramic tour.
(B, D)
Day 6: Cliffs of Moher & Galway
Travel along the coast of County Clare to view the Cliffs of Moher, which soar almost 700 feet above the churning Atlantic swells. Walk along the top of the cliffs to O’Brien’s Tower for great views of Galway Bay and the Aran Islands. Later, take a guided walking tour of the old city of Galway. In the evening, head out for a medieval-style feast, where lords and ladies will serenade you with music and songs.
(B, D)
Day 7: Irish National Stud & Dublin
Relax as you enjoy the scenic Irish countryside on your way to Kildare where you’ll visit the home of equine royalty, The Irish National Stud. Here you’ll see immaculately-bred stallions alongside protective mares, frolicking foals and athletic yearlings. Stroll around the delightful grounds to explore St. Fiachra’s Garden, including its miniature Japanese Gardens. Spend the rest of the day at your leisure and dine at your choice of one of the many restaurants or pubs scattered throughout Dublin.
(B)
Day 8: Tour Ends in Dublin
Your tour ends after breakfast today.(B)
B: Breakfast; L: Lunch; D: Dinner
Authentic Local Experiences
- A scenic cruise of Dingle Bay is enhanced by stories of local lore and history. Keep your eyes open – you might spot a dolphin or two.
- Enjoy fresh baked scones with tea as you visit a local farmhouse.
- Discover the rich history of Dublin’s Trinity College to see the Book of Kells.
Trip Highlights
- Blarney Castle
- Trinity College and Book of Kells
- Cliffs of Moher
- Dingle Peninsula and Cruise
- Jaunting car ride in Killarney
- Muckross Schoolhouse - A CIE Tours Exclusive
- Sheepdog Demonstration
Dining Experiences
- 7 breakfasts (B) and 5 dinners (D) including a night at Taylors Three Rock Pub and a lively medieval castle banquet, plus tea and scones at a sheep farm.
